Monday, April 15, 2013Strongsville strike: A gap of a million dollar remainsTeachers say they also want a contract that ensures their time is spent in the classroomby WKSU's M.L. SCHULTZE

Web EditorM.L. Schultze

In The Region:

For the first time since teachers walked out on March 4, the Strongsville school board has upped its offer. But as WKSU’s M.L. Schultze reports, no new bargaining sessions are planned and the two sides still have more than money differences.

The school board began its seventh week of the teacher’s strike by announcing it had discovered $3.2 million in extra revenues, including from delinquent taxes. It turned that money into its first new offer since March 2, by agreeing to give the teachers partial raises for experience – something called “step” increases.

But Tracy Linscott, president of the Strongsville Education Association, says the board is still balking at other issues, including raises for advanced degrees and limiting a teacher’s assignment outside the of the classroom.

“We really want to have the duties be completely student centered and not focused on nonacademics. For example, we did have some teacher duties in a cafeteria and we did have some movement on that. But again, they want to dictate what kids I meet with and who needs the most help. And that’s something, frankly, only I know as the teacher.”

Linscott says less than a million dollars over the life of a three-year contract now separates the two sides.

Strongsville Superintendent John Krupinski did not return a call for comment. In a statement, board President David Frazee said the district’s upgraded offer is what it can afford.